Fireproof skylight assembly



March 7, 1967 D. E. BLOXSOM 3,307,303

FIREPHOOF SKYLIGHT AS SEMBLY Filed Jan. 13, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l 7 7 M fi0/7 f. fi/oxsom INVENTOR.

' EMMA F4474. QLMQZAI March 7, 1967 D. E. BLOXSOM 3,307,303

FIREPROOF SKYLIGHT AS SEMBLY Filed Jan. 13, 1964 5 SheetSH'Sheet 2 00/7 5. B/oxaom VENTOR INVENTOR.

BY MM- a kw WW f. 2M1- D. E- BLOXSOM 'I'IIIJ k FIREPROOF SKYLIGHT ASSEMBLY March 7, 1967 Filed'Jan. 1 3, 1964 ATTOR/ E m United States Patent Ofifice 3,3a7,303 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 3,307,303 FIREPROOF SKYLIGHT ASSEMBLY Dan E. Bloxsom, 1210 N. Rice Ave., Houston, Tex. 77036 Filed Jan. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 337,201 2 Claims. (Cl. 52-80) This invention relates to an improved fireproof skylight assembly or construction.

Considerable difficulty Wit-h the use of skylight constructions, such as plastic domes, has been encountered primarily due to leakage, condensation and dripping inside the building to which they are applied. This is particularly true in the provision of skylight constructions utilizing fireproof material or barriers and relatively complicated and expensive structures have been proposed for such structures.

It would be highly advantageous to provide a skylight assembly, that is one using a plastic or other type dome, which includes a translucent fireproof barrier or material covering the sky-light opening and which is of relatively simple construction, principally made out of light-weight materials, which is leak proof and prevents condensation and dripping within the building and yet is a strong fireproof skylight construction.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fireproof skylight construction which is rel-ativelyisimple in construction, quickly and easily applied, and fabricated in the most part from lightweight materials yet provides a strong fireproof barrier for the skylight opening. 7

- Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a strong fireproof skylight assembly or construction in which the dome or bubble and securing frame provide an effective seal against leakage, condensation and the like and in which the frame includes means for supporting a strong translucent fireproof material across the skylight opening of the building to which the skylight construction is secured,

Yet'a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved fireproof skylight assembly or construction in which the dome orbubble and the frame therefor provides an effective seal against water condensation and the like and which includes a strong translucent fireproof material covering the skylight opening which is securely maintained in place by the dome or bubble. I

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved and simplified fireproof skylight construction which in the most part is made of lightweight materials, yet which is strong, rugged and leakproof and will withstand fire and which may readily and easily be secured about a skylight opening in a building as a unit.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a fireproof skylight construction which has an air seal or an air pocket which effectively prevents leakage.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a fireproof skylight assembly or construction in which the dome or bubble and translucent fireproof barrier may quickly be removed from the outside in the event of a fire to permit firemen to safely and readily enter the building through the skylight opening.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will appear from the following description of presently-preferred embodiments of the present invention, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, and where,

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a skylight construction according to the invention,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, elevational view, in section, of the skylight construction of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 2a is a sectional elevational view similar to that of FIGURE 2 illustrating another embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 2b is a sectional elevational view similar to FIGURES 2 and 211' and illustrating yet a further embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 3 is a quarter elevational view, in section, similar to FIGURE 2 illustrating a further embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 3 illustrating a still further embodiment of the invention, and

FIGURE 5 is a. view similarto that of FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrating a still further embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 1, the skylight construction is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is shown in place on the roof 12. The skylight construction 10 includes the plastic bubble or dome 14 which is mounted in and supported by the body or skylight frame 16. The dome 14, of course, may be made of any suitable material which will withstand the weather conditions to be encountered and yet provide light through the skylight. Preferably, the material should soften at relatively high temperatures, such as when there is a fire, so that it can be removed from the frame structure 16 from the outside. Any of the thermoplastics, such as Plexiglas acrylic domes, may be used. Since any desired dome made of any suitable translucent or clear material may be used, which are readily available on the market, no detailed description thereof is deemed necessary or given.

The details of the skylight construction 10 are best illustrated in FIGURE 2, to which reference is now made. In this illustration the roof is of the so-called built up type although it may be of any desired type, for example, shingles and the like.

As illustrated, the built up roof 12 includes the roof decking 17 which is provided with a skylight opening 18. A layer of tar or asphalt material 19 into which is placed gravel, slag and the like, not shown, is provided on the decking and usually on felt paper, not shown, on the decking 17. Any type of built up roof construction or other construction may be utilized and if desired a curb member, not shown, may be provided about the skylight opening 18, it being understood that the skylight construction 10 may be applied to any type roof construction about a skylight opening therein, such as indicated by the reference numeral 18 in FIGURE 2.

As previously mentioned, the skylight construction includes a structural or frame member 16, which includes What might be termed a retaining wall 20 which extends upwardly from the deck 17 around the skylight opening 18 and preferably forms a continuation thereof. The frame member 20 includes an outwardly extending base member 22 which seats on and is secured to the deck 17 by any suitable means, such as by the screws 24.

Disposed intermediate the ends of the retaining wall 20, above the surface of the roof material 19 and extending outwardly is the flange 26, which extends completely around the retaining wall 20, and forms a seat for the outer marginal ends 28 of the skylight dome 14. If desired, a suitable seal member 30, formed of a resilient material, is placed between the dome seating member 26 and the marginal end of the plastic dome 28. The marginal end 28 and the sealing member 30 are tightly secured to the seat 26 by the generally U-shaped, viewed in cross-section, securing member or lock ring 32 and which is welded orotherwise secured together so that it completely surrounds the marginal end 28 of the plastic skylight 14 securing the dome 14 to the seat 26, as shown. Thus, the skylight 14 is supported and is securely held in place by means of the securing means 32 on the flangelike seat 26.

The supporting member or frame member 20 extends upwardly beyond the flange-like seat 26 and its upper end is indicated by the reference numeral 34. Thus, in the event water should enter the skylight construction above the seat flange 26, no leakage will occur within the skylight construction in this form of the invention even though the water level would reach a vertical height above the top 34 of the retaining wall 20 on the roof 12 as subsequently explained.

In addition to providing a leakage barrier, as previously mentioned, the upper end 34 of the retaining wall 20 provides a seat for the translucent fireproof, sheet-like member 36 which, preferably, is disposed upon the gasket or ring like seal member 38 disposed against the upper end 34 of the retaining wall 29.

The sheet-like fire member 36 is at least translucent and may be constructed of wire glass, for example, or glass having hardware cloth or other reinforcement embedded in it and the like.

In the construction illustrated in FIGURE 2, it is noted that the plastic dome 14 securely maintains the translucent fire member 36 in position. To this end, the gasket or sealing ring 34 includes the portion 39 which extends upwardly about the perimeter of the translucent fire member 36. Advantageously, the sealing rings 34 and 39 and the inner sides of the dome 14 engaging the seal ring 39 and clamping the translucent fire member 36 in place assists in providing an effective weather seal for the skylight construction by trapping air in the space enclosed by the retaining wall 20, seat flange 26, and the sealing gaskets 39, 38 and 39, the upper end 34 and the dome 14. Thus, an air seal is provided which prevents water from rising to the top 34 of the water barrier retaining wall 20. This provides an eifective seal against water, condensation and the like.

With the construction shown in FIGURE 2, the frame member 16 with its retaining wall 20 and various flanges and seats and the lock ring 32 may be made of a very lightweight metal, such as extruded aluminum and the like, and the dome 14 may be formed of a lightweight plastic material. It is only necessary that the fire member 36 be strong fireproof material, such as a translucent wire glass. The skylight construction is formed as a unit or assembly and is readily and easily applied to any and all roof structures about a skylight opening such as indicated at 18. In the event of a fire, the plastic dome or bubble 14 collapses against the strong fireproof member 36 which also prevents burning embers from falling through the skylight opening 18 into the building. The collapsed dome 14 can readily be pulled out of the lock ring 32, since it is now soft, and the translucent fireproof member 36 lifted off the end 34 from the outside. Firemen can now enter the building through the skylight opening 18 without danger of being cut by broken pieces and the like. Thus, by a very simple and in the main lightweight construction a strong fireproof skylight construction is provided which may be readily and quickly secured to a skylight opening in the roof structure of a building and through which entry into the building from the outside can be made safely and quickly.

With references to FIGURES 2a, 2b, 3, 4 and 5, the reference letters a, b, c, d, and 2, respectively, have been added to reference numerals to parts corresponding to those of FIGURES l and 2 for convenience of reference.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURE 2a, this embodiment is similar to that of FIGURES 1 and 2 except that an additional inwardly-extending flange 40 has been disposed intermediate the ends of the retaining member to provide a seat for the translucent fire member 36a. In this embodiment the gasket or packing member 38a is disposed on the flange like seat 40 rather than over the upper end 34a of the retaining member 20a. Wh le an air seal is not provided in this form, the water barrier 20a extending to its top 34a prevents water from entering the skylight. i

Referring now to FIGURE 2b, this embodiment 15 substantially the same as that of FIGURE 2a except that the inwardly-extending seating flange 40b 18 disposed at the bottom of the retaining member 20; [and which sup- 'r nslucent fire roof material 6 l ii ill rt h r discussion if the embodiments of FIGURE 2a and FIGURE 2b is deemed necessary or given as the remaining parts and installation and use of the skylight assemblies Na and Nb are the same as that of FIGURES l and 2 except that the translucent fireproof material 36a (FIGURE 2a) and 36b (FIGURE 2b) are not held in place by the dome 14a (FIGURE 2d) and 14b (FIG- URE 2b).

Referring now to FIGURE 3, this embodiment is similar to that of FIGURES l and 2 except that a generally inwardly extending flange or other support 340 is provided as the seat for the translucent fire member 360, which is recessed at 35 to receive the gasket member 380, and a downwardly and outwardly extending flange i2 is provided to which the intermediary flange seating member 26c extends. The space provided between the flanges 42 and 25c and the inner surface of the plastic bubble 14c adjacent these points is filled with a suitable mastic or sealing material 44. This further assists in providing an effective weather tight seal for the skylight construction.

The embodiment of FIGURE 4 is substantially similar to that of FIGURE 3 except that the downwardly and outwardly flared flange 420 extends from a point below the upper end 34d of the retaining member 20:1 to provide a space which is filled with a suitable mastic or sealing material 44d. Also, in this embodiment the gasket o-r seal member 38d is provided on the upper end 34d of the retaining member 20d.

The embodiment of FIGURE 5 is substantially the same as that of FIGURES i and 2 except that the mastic or sealing material 44c is provided in the space between the plastic bubble 14e, the upper portion of the retaining wall 202 and the flange seat Me. I

No further description is deemed necessary or given of the embodiments of FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 as the remairi= ing parts, the installation and use is the same as that de= scribed in connection with the preceding figures.

As previously mentioned, the structural members of the skylight construction may be formed of any suitable material, preferably a lightweight material, such as 'var= ious metals and the like, for example extruded aluminum, as well as other materials which are strong enough and which are suitable for such construction purposes.

The skylight construction may be of any desired shape and may be for single or multiple skylights. In this even-t the various members of the skylight assembly are suitably conformed to the shape of the skylight opening".

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted and suited to attain the objects and ends and has the advantages and features mentioned as well as others inherent therein.

While presently-preferred embodiments of the invention are given for the purpose of disclosure, changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made which are within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a skylight construction for a roof having a skylight opening,

a skylight frame member having an outwardly extending base flange adapted to be secured to and to seat on the roof about the skylight opening,

an upstanding wall extending from the base flange andenclosing the skylight opening,

a flange member extending downwardly and outwardly from an upper portion of the upstanding Wall member,

a flange extending outwardly from the lower outer end of the flange member, said flange-being intermediate the ends of the Wall member and above the surface of the roof when the skylight is received about the skylight opening,

a skylight dome extending over the wall and enclosing the skylight opening, the periphery of the skylight dome being disposed against and seating on the flange,

means securing the periphery of the skylight dome to the flange,

said frame member, said means and the skylight dome sealing the skylight opening, and

a skylight sheet-like fire resistant member disposed on the upper end of the upstanding wall and extending across the skylight opening, the sides of the dome adjacent the fire resistant member engaging the periphery thereof and securing it in place.

2. In a skylight construction for a roof having a skylight opening,

a skylight frame member having an outwardly extending base flange adapted to be secured to and to seat on the roof about the skylight opening,

an upstanding Wall extending from the base flange and enclosing the skylight opening,

a flange intermediate the ends of and extending outwardly from and around the Wall, said flange being above the surface of the roof when the skylight is received about the skylight opening,

a skylight dome extending over the wall and enclosing the skylight opening, the periphery of the skylight dome being disposed against and seating on the flange,

means securing the periphery of the skylight dome to the flange,

said frame member, said means and the skylight dome sealing the skylight opening,

a skylight sheet-like fire resistant member disposed on the upper end of the upstanding Wall and extending across the skylight opening, and

sealing means between the upper end of the upstanding wall and the first resistant member and about the periphery of the fire resistant member, the sides of the dome adjacent the periphery of the fire resistant member engaging its sealing means and securing the fire resistant member in place.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,236,008 8/1917 Rysdon 52-200 2,610,593 9/1952 Wasserman 52-200 X 2,851,973 9/1958 Stark et al. 52-200 3,005,291 10/1961 Huber 52-200 X 3,012,375 12/ 1961 Wasserman 5219 X 3,111,786 11/ 1963 Wasserman 52200 X 3,137,099 6/1964 Wasserman 52-200 X 3,247,632 4/1966 Bloxsom 52-200 FOREIGN PATENTS 600,984 7/1960 Canada. 641,451 5/1962 Canada.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD W. COOKE, JR., Examiner.

M. O. WARNECKE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION FOR A ROOF HAVING A SKYLIGHT OPENING, A SKYLIGHT FRAME MEMBER HAVING AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING BASE FLANGE ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO AND TO SEAT ON THE ROOF ABOUT THE SKYLIGHT OPENING, AN UPSTANDING WALL EXTENDING FROM THE BASE FLANGE AND ENCLOSING THE SKYLIGHT OPENING, A FLANGE MEMBER EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY FROM AN UPPER PORTION OF THE UPSTANDING WALL MEMBER, A FLANGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE LOWER OUTER END OF THE FLANGE MEMBER, SAID FLANGE BEING INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF THE WALL MEMBER AND ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE ROOF WHEN THE SKYLIGHT IS RECEIVED ABOUT THE SKYLIGHT OPENING, A SKYLIGHT DOME EXTENDING OVER THE WALL AND ENCLOSING THE SKYLIGHT OPENING, THE PERIPHERY OF THE SKYLIGHT DOME BEING DISPOSED AGAINST AND SEATING ON THE FLANGE, MEANS SECURING THE PERIPHERY OF THE SKYLIGHT DOME TO THE FLANGE, SAID FRAME MEMBER, SAID MEANS AND THE SKYLIGHT DOME SEALING THE SKYLIGHT OPENING, AND A SKYLIGHT SHEET-LIKE FIRE RESISTANT MEMBER DISPOSED ON THE UPPER END OF THE UPSTANDING WALL AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE SKYLIGHT OPENING, THE SIDES OF THE DOME ADJACENT THE FIRE RESISTANT MEMBER ENGAGING THE PERIPHERY THEREOF AND SECURING IT IN PLACE. 